"While no-one was assaulted or injured during the incident it was obviously distressing for the guard and we are doing all we can to trace the two men involved. "One focus of our enquiries is the white Audi Q5 vehicle, and we are keen to hear from anyone who has seen this since it was stolen on Tuesday, including the lead up to the robbery taking place on Thursday afternoon. "We believe the offenders then left the area where the vehicle was burnt out in a second vehicle."

A 4x4 was later discovered by police underneath the Redheugh Bridge. Credit: ITV News

Northumbria Police are investigating an armed robbery in Newcastle city centre.

At around 4pm on Thursday 21st February, police received a report that two men had approached a security van guard on Saint James Boulevard and threatened him with what was described as a shotgun before stealing a large amount of cash.

Police say the two men then fled the scene in a white coloured 4x4 which was found a short time later on fire underneath the Redheugh Bridge in Gateshead.Northumbria Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.